RRShort Review: Once Upon a Moonlit Night by Elizabeth Hoyt

Welcome to Really Really Short Reviews were the name is long and the reviews are short! Because sometimes short is that much sweeter. (Also, because I’m really lazy!) And there might be quotes too (lots and lots)! (Because everyone loves quotes, right?)

From New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Hoyt comes a delightful Maiden Lane novella that begins once upon a moonlit night—and ends wickedly, wonderfully ever after…

Hippolyta Royle is running for her life. Pursued by hounds on a cold rainy night, the heiress flags down a passing carriage and throws herself at the mercy of the coach’s occupant. Whoever this handsome traveler may be, he is her only hope to escape a terrible fate. But should he agree to escort her to safety, he’s in for much more than he bargained for.

At first Matthew Mortimer doesn’t believe Hippolyta’s story, that she’s a fabulously wealthy heiress who’s been kidnapped. He assumes she’s a beggar, an actress, or worse. But once his new travel companion washes the mud from her surprisingly lovely face, and they share a breathtaking kiss, there is no turning back.

Review:

This novella gives us the conclusion to Hippolyta’s misadventures in The Duke of Sin.

Hippolyta, on the run, meets Matthew when she flags down his carriage. It’s an instant attraction despite not liking each other. Misunderstandings and scandals and heart-to-hearts round out the story.

The biggest downfall for me is everything seems to be quite rushed (which isn’t too surprising, it being a novella), so it was a bit hard to feel the genuine love between them.

That being said, they were an enjoyable couple. Overall this was a quick read and a nice treat for anyone wondering what happened to Hippolyta. I’m glad she got her HEA.

“Your?” she breathed, not daring to hope.

“Mine,” he growled, arrogantly certain. “Beggar or heiress. Princess of pauper. I didn’t give a damn who or what you were, Hippolyta, I just wanted you.”

The rush feeling is normally my problem with novellas but if I like the characters enough I’m normally okay with it. I’m intrigued that this is tying up a loose end from the previous book. This is a series I’m really looking forward to reading and I won’t miss this novella though Hippolyta is definitely one of the worst names I’ve come across yet!